JOHN Hill's season is over almost before it begun.

The front rower, recruited from Rochdale in the off-season, has suffered a serious knee injury. He needs major reconstructive surgery and is likely to miss the rest of the campaign.

Hill had figured in five of Leigh's Northern Rail Cup qualifying games prior to being hurt and was a key player in manager Darren Shaw's senior squad.

Leigh were hoping that Hill's injury was a minor one but tests have confirmed serious anterior cruciate ligament damage and surgery is the only option.

Shaw says: "John will have surgery in about a month's time but that's him gone for the season.

"John is a good influence in the dressing room - a good leader. This is really unfortunate and we'll really miss him."

Hill's long term absence could now force Shaw into the transfer market to find some cover.

"I'll be looking to strengthen the squad by bringing in a few players on loan," Shaw confirmed. "We're obviously looking to strengthen up front and we probably need a bit of cover in the halves as well."

Shaw is hoping that the long-term injury lay-off suffered by French international centre Damien Couturier is almost over.

Couturier has yet to make his Hilton Park debut after damaging a knee in the Northern Rail victory at London Skolars back in February.

"Damien is making some progress and he, along with Jimmy Taylor, might have a chance for the opening league games against Widnes and Whitehaven over Easter," says Shaw.